Of primary concern in studying the educational and informational needs of residents of the Southeast Central Area of the Los Angeles Community College District was determining the area's demographic and historical characteristics. The data gathering strategies involved locating available information on the area for background to community issues, concerns, and needs; conducting interviews with persons in service capacities from both within and outside the area; and directly observing community service agency activities. The semi-structured interviews with community informants elicited information on social change and social stability in the area, on significant groups, educational and informational needs, and barriers and access points for New Dimensions programs. The findings indicated that the area was experiencing a rapid population shift in terms of cultural, age, and economic characteristics. Long-term, older, more affluent Anglo residents were becoming an increasingly smaller cohort; while, younger, less well-off, and less well-trained Latino families were becoming the majority group. The population shift suggested a number of educational services: area-wide activities which foster community sense and communication and also establish a community college presence, diverse programming with bilingual capacity, and introduction of educational counselors to the area. (TR)